WATLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Clerk: Colin Vince, 17 Bure Close, Watlington, KING’S LYNN, Norfolk PE33 0TN

MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of WATLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL held on 15 June 2010 at 7.00 pm in Watlington Village Hall.

Present: Cllr Lacey (Chairman); Cllrs Dagnall, Drake, Golding, Leedell, Pike and Scully.

5 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence: Cllrs Mack, Miller and Stevenson.

JUN 10/1 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest for this meeting.

JUN 10/2 Open Forum Notes

A young parishioner made a plea for more traditional play equipment for the pre-teen age group in the village and pointed out the amount of litter thrown onto local streets. A short discussion was held on play facilities, including funding, site supervision and the need for community involvement in any facilities projects.

A parishioner raised the issue of dog fouling on Church Road and was advised to contact the Borough Council. A short discussion followed on the value of anti-dog fouling signs. The parishioner also requested that the zebra crossing markings are refreshed and that the litter bin by the pump is re-fixed to its base.  

JUN 10/3 Minutes of the Council Meetings held on 4 May 2010

The minutes of the Annual Council Meeting and the ordinary Council Meeting on 4 May 2010 were agreed and signed as correct records.

JUN 10/4 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising from the Council Meeting on 4 May 2010

The clerk reported that the current balance of funds is £33686.35 and that the internal audit has been completed, with the required information now submitted to the external auditor.

JUN 10/5 Payments

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council approved the following payments:

 *Includes recoverable VAT

JUN 10/6 Edward Shouldham Charity

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed that the Shouldham Charity Land tenancy agreement should be revised to a 364 day lease to protect the Charity’s ownership rights on the site.

Cllr Leedell agreed to investigate the costs involved in registering Possessory Title of the Shouldham Charity Land.

JUN 10/7 Requests for Grants and Donations

* Proposed by Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Leedell.

** Proposed by Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Scully.

The clerk advised that a proposal to change the percentage of the grant budget available for allocation at meetings would be brought to the next meeting following the split of the Millennium Green and Churchyard grants from this budget.

JUN 10/8 Planning Applications

Planning Decisions

The following planning decisions have been received from the Borough Council / NCC:

No new planning applications had been received since the May meeting.

JUN 10/9 Martingales and The Coppice Developments

Cllr Golding led a discussion on the fencing arrangements and mixing of age group play equipment on the Stone Close Play Area. Cllr Pike agreed to monitor the site, including reports of intimidation, the effect of mixing age group play equipment and the extent of dog fouling and would report back in September.

The clerk reported for Cllr Mack that the flooding problem in Station Road had not yet been resolved and that he was pursuing the matter further. Cllr Pike advised that it appeared the final 7 building foundations are now being laid on the site. He also advised that an attractive green open space has been provided around the retained oak tree on the middle of the estate.

JUN 10/10 Rowan Close Development

The clerk advised there was no further news regarding the developer’s plans for the site.

JUN 10/11 Scheme for Support of Vulnerable Persons

The clerk advised that no information had been received from NALC or Norfolk RCC on a Norfolk scheme.

JUN 10/12 Norfolk Minerals and Waste Development Framework

It was agreed that comments on the Development Framework should be forwarded to the clerk by 10 July.

JUN 10/13 Highways and Transport Matters

The clerk reported the following update on highways matters:

a)    NCC Highways have turned down the request to extend back to Plough Lane the 30mph zone on Lynn Road as it doesn’t meet the criteria for such a scheme.

b)    The hedge outside No.51 Fen Road has now been cut and the hedge outside No.52 Downham Road is still being chased up by Highways.

c)    The sign at the Thieves Bridge Road / Downham Road junction has now been re-instated.

d)    NCC Highways will not seek the removal of decorative rocks outside No.94 Fen Road.

e)    Cones outside No.15 Fen Road are still to be removed.

Cllr Scully reported that some of the culverts / drain covers along Fen Road are covered with tarmac.

Cllr Golding reported that it appears that a compulsory purchase will go ahead for the station car park.

JUN 10/14 Community Projects Committee

On a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Drake Council approved the removal of a further 30m of Leylandii hedging, from the gate to the Bowls Club, on the Recreation Ground and the installation of 30m of bowtop fencing at a maximum cost of £5800 for the project, funding to come from Play/Youth Equipment Projects Fund (£3000) and £2800 from Reserves, subject to competitive quotes being received.

JUN 10/15 Allotments

Cllr Golding reported that a parcel of land at the end of Paige Close, which could hold over 20 half-size plots, may become available on a five year lease, with a year-on-year extension, and that preliminary investigations had revealed that this would be a suitable site.

On a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Leedell, Council approved that an offer of £450 per hectare pro-rata for the site (Approx 0.45 hectares) at the end of Paige Close be made and that up to £1000 be made available from the Allotments Budget for legal, rental and clearance costs. It was also agreed that residents of Paige Close be advised and asked for their comments and to ask those on the register if they wish to have a plot on the site if agreement is reached.

It was also agreed that Cllr Golding and the clerk draw up the necessary offer and consultation letters and bring forward a project plan. It was also agreed that a letter be sent to the Pope Estate withdrawing the Council’s plans to seek an allotment site in Mill Road if agreement on the Paige Close site is reached.

The clerk advised that the Britton Close lease became effective from 11 June. Cllr Golding agreed to contact Cllr Rockcliffe regarding site clearance for a 1 September start by the tenants. The clerk to update the site plotholders, draw up the tenancy agreements and to ensure that insurance requirements are met.

JUN 10/16 Environment Committee

Following receipt of the report on the state of the oak tree on the Glebe Field, on a proposal from the Chairman it was agreed to seek quotations to carry out the remedial work recommended in the report.

Cllr Pike asked that the Handyperson clear the weeds around the village sign. Cllr Pike agreed to re-secure the stone planter by the village sign. Cllr Drake reported that the hedging on the footpath by the village pump needs cutting back.

JUN 10/17 Correspondence for Action

JUN 10/18 Correspondence for information

There being no other business, Council rose at  8.30.

The next meeting of the Council is on Tuesday 27 July in the Village Hall at 7.00pm.

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                 27 July 2010